#service

Whatever your belief, I hope this season finds you to be of good heart and generous character. We are all in this together and during this season, especially, we are given great opportunity to develop and express the spirit of brother & sisterhood to all, not just those in our circles, of our own race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. We can choose to honor and respect ALL life. We can choose Love over hate, acceptance over intolerance, and we can choose to exemplify standards of morality that will aid our children in respecting and Loving themselves and each other.

These are beautiful times, and yet, highly emotional times for many, many people. While some of us will be enjoying connecting with family and friends over a great meal on Christmas, others will be grieving for those who are not present at the table this year. Others still may not have a table at which to feast. As well, there are families missing children, parents, friends, and even pets. There are those whose lives were upset by natural disasters and they have not recovered. We have so many unemployed who are stressing to bring home gifts for their children, or just food. There are people who are justly or unjustly incarcerated. They may be inhumanely treated even if their crime is minor. There are wars being fought and service men and women who will not be home for the holidays. While we have a lot for which to be thankful, the challenges may scream louder than our voice of gratitude. We are reminded to keep a soft light on in our hearts for our fellow sisters and brothers who are experiencing hard times. There are young folks without families who care about them and it becomes more pronounced during the holidays.

The holidays also tend to have people rushing around for gifts, holiday parties or just running to get that last task completed before taking off on holiday vacation. Rushing causes mindlessness and accidents of any nature can occur. This is a time to slow down and take heed of what’s in your surroundings. You may be running around so quickly that you don’t even realize you didn’t hold that heavy store door open for the next person, who may have been an elder, a child or a person with physical disabilities. Or perhaps, you have a long list of gifts to buy and didn’t find that item at the store you’re at and need to make a mad dash to another store. This may result in your driving too close and not have enough space to stop when the car in front of you brakes without warning, or speeding and losing control. And, those Christmas parties may have you drinking a bit too much. You can avoid the backlash if you keep your mind with you. Plan ahead and decide to drink and behave responsibly. Believe me, there is no better gift than the gift of life. No gift you can give is better than you being able to show up or to stay alive and safe.

There are those who have gone through tumultuous times this year and are thrilled to be beyond the depths of their struggle. “Yay, it’s over,” is their cheer! Their gift is that they can now finally exhale after months or a year of great trials. There are others who need Forgiveness and to Forgive a large or small transgression. Whatever the case, let us strive to be vehicles of goodness to ourselves and each other. We do not know what another person is feeling when they have that scowl on their face. It may be an incredibly hard time for that person. They don’t need our grief to add to their own. And, unless they are doing harm, we can ignore a bit of rudeness or meet it with a smile, if we just let ourselves slow down a bit and consider what another may be feeling beyond the surface.

This is a time for deepening, cleansing, and releasing what no longer serves our good, especially our Divine Goodness. Please take moments of Silence throughout your day and give thanks for your many precious treasures. Taking moments of Silence also allows us to make better choices with our reactions to adverse situations, avoiding the off-the-cuff responses for which later we may need to apologize. Let’s choose to keep an open Heart for those who may need our Kindness and Compassion. Tis the Season to Forgive. The best changes start within our own selves. Let us be of service where we are guided to be, and use the power of Prayer, powerfully positive affirmations when we are shown our place is to be on the sidelines, not to meddle or interfere in another’s process. Every season is a season for growth and new understandings. Please keep your focus on remaining safe and choose to do no harm.